The chief executive of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed the Freeman hospital does have capacity to deal with cases from other parts of the country.

Sir Leonard Fenwick said: "‘There is capacity, albeit finite, to receive cases from elsewhere in the UK as we do and always have done on a daily basis, and this does include the North of England and Yorkshire."

Meetings will take place later over the future of children's heart surgery. Non urgent surgery was cancelled at Leeds General Infirmary last week. In the meantime Newcastle's Freeman hospital has been taking referrals.

"The Trust has taken a highly responsible precautionary step. Some questions have been raised by the Trust's own mortality data and by other information.

It is important to understand that while this information raises questions, it does not give us answers. But it is absolutley right not to take any risks while these matters are being looked into. The priority must be the safety of children. I hope that Leeds will shortly be in a position to restart children's heart surgery secure in the knowledge that everything is okay."

In yet another twist to the saga over children's heart services, all child heart operations have been suspended at Leeds General Infirmary.

The decision was made tonight after questions were raised over mortality rates. Newcastle's Freeman hospital has told ITV News Tyne Tees that it will receive referrals from Leeds with immediate effect.

NHS England has praised Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for pausing paediatric cardiac surgery while checks are made to ensure the unit is operating safely.

"The Trust has taken a highly responsible precautionary step. Some questions have been raised by the Trust's own mortality data and by other information. It is important to understand that while this information raises questions, it does not give us answers. But it is absolutley right not to take any risks while these matters are being looked into. The priority must be the safety of children. I hope that Leeds will shortly be in a position to restart children's heart surgery secure in the knowledge that everything is okay."